Binta is a 7 year old girl who lives in a small charming village on the casamance river in southern Senegal. She goes to school. Her cousin Soda does not have the same good fortune. She is not allowed to learn about the things of the world. Binta admires her father, a humble fisherman who, concerned about the development of mankind, is determined to carry out an idea that has occurred to him.
Best Of the Fest
Feature Film Award
Documentary Feature
United States
Run time:
90 minutes
Director(s):
Abdallah Omeish, Sufyan Omeish
A comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the United States' role, and sheds light on the major obstacles which stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The film depicts the root causes of the conflict through Israeli, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, American, and Palestinian voices that are rarely ever heard through mainstream media outlets.
Short Film Award
Japan
Run time:
23m:0s
Director(s):
Jerome Olivier
After developing a time machine, Professor Tanokura finds himself enwrapped in a war ignited by his creation. Missing pages is a 24 minute short movie shot entirely with a digital still camera. The photos, manipulated using a technique lovingly dubbed "fotomation" delivers a unique visual experience.
Avery Crounse Award
Narrative Feature
United States
Run time:
107 minutes
Director(s):
Adam Galassi, Tom Galassi, Tom Snyder
Art Stone's strongest connection is with his cell phone and the nightmares tearing through his brain. Haunted by a truth just out of reach he hides in an apartment screaming with regrets and a city offering an existence as empty as his bank account. Burning old love letters, interviewing for jobs he doesn't want, fighting with his hair in the mirror, Art is tired, but breakfast with an old friend and the farm where he grew up when everything was much more simple is calling. A fairytale that starts downstate.
Juror’s Award
Narrative Short
United States
Run time:
13m:30s
Director(s):
Peter Craig
A supervisor at a consumer product testing lab interrogates two suspects of a devilish prank.
Documentary Short
United States
Run time:
36m:15s
Director(s):
Mike Reagan
Life Under the Viaduct is a documentary about a homeless veteran who has lived on the streets of new york for the past eleven years. With interviews from friends, neighbors and passers-by we get an idea of what life on the streets of new york is like for him. As his story unfolds we learn that cadillac man has a hidden talent that may help to propel him out of his homeless situation and into the mainstream of society. Will he make it or will he not? Time will tell...
Animation
Luxembourg, Spain, United States
Run time:
9m:45s
Director(s):
Raul Garcia
The story is a psychological portrait of a mad narrator. A murderer who can not stop hearing his victim's relentless heartbeat. "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a horror story and psychological thriller told from a first-person perspective.
Animation
United States
Run time:
6m:0s
Director(s):
Chel White
A first love is corrupted as a man recalls his affair with a beautiful circus contortionist in this stop-motion animation of wooden mannequins.
Honorable Mention
Narrative Short
United States
Run time:
17m:23s
Director(s):
Cristine Spindler
For Sirah, a young Muslim girl raised in America, the private academy she attends is a lonely place. Sirah stands apart from her classmates because of her religious practices, specifically the covering of the head and body. This changes when she meets Amy, who opens the possibility of friendship. However, not everyone is as understanding, and ultimately, Sirah is pressured to choose between her family's beliefs and the culture which surrounds her.
